Trolley-pole-positioning mechanism.



23,2021 will AVORIVE) P. & C. E. PIGACHE.

TROLLEY POLE POSITIONING MECHANISVI.

Patented Mal Fig.3; F "I i I I I j I l I APPLICATION FILED DEC. 15- I915.

Fig.1.

PIERRE PIGACHE AND CHARLES EMILE PIGAGHE, CF PARIS, FRANCE.

TROLLEY-POLE-POSITIONIF'G MECHAN [SML Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar. 20, 191% Application filed December 15, 1915. Serial No. (6,916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, PIERRE PIGAGHE and CHARLES EMILE Preaorrn, citizens of the Republic of France, and residents of Paris, France, (post-oiiice address 206 Rue de Gharenton, Paris,) have invented a new and useful Trolley-Pole-Positioning Mechanism, which apparatus is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to trolley pole returning devices; and it proposes, briefly, an improved device of the general character specified which is constructed in such a way as to automatically bring back the pole,

after it has jumped the wire, to a position within the limits of the car area, in order to avoid possible damage.

It is a matter of common knowledge that when the wheel of a trolley pole jumps the trolley wire on which it runs, the pole is out of line, so to speak, with thelon'gitudinal axis of the car at the precise moment when derailment takes-place; but immediately afterward swings abruptly upward to a position in which it projects laterally beyond one side or the other of the car. During this sudden movement of the pole, the car attains an increased speed, due to the momentum, with the result that there is considerable danger of the pole striking against any obstacle in its path, as, for instance, a vehicle, lamp post, telegraph pole, or the like, and either injuring the same or being itself injured thereby.

On jumping the wire, the pole ordinarily continues its upward movement under the influence of the tension spring which nor mally holds it against the wire, and remains in its elevated position until its wheel is manually rengaged therewith; or, if equipped with an automatic restoring mechanism, such as that shown and described in our prior patent, No. 1,187 ,7 82, granted J une 20, 1916, it may initially rise, and then drop into place to reengage the wheel upon the wire. In either case, however, some lateral displacement of the pole occurs, in consequence of the derailment.

It is the object of'the present invention to utilize the movement of the pole to actuate a device located at the base of the pole, this device serving to restore the pole to a position within the confines of the car area; that is to say, to prevent the pole, immediately derailment takes place, from swinging laterally outward beyond the car side.

The accompanying drawing represents, by way of example, a form of returning device which is operated by the pole, upon derailment thereof, t) produce the above-mentioned action.

In said drawing Figure 1 is aview showing the pole as actuating a lover of the third class, the latter controlled by a convex track or cam.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but showing a lever of the first class.

Fig. 3 shows a lever of the third class, acting upon a rolling or concave track.

Fig. 4 shows a lever of the first class, actlng upon a track of the type represented in Fig. 3.

In these four figures, the pole base appears diagrammatically in dotted lines, the pole itself and its socket being omitted for the sake of clea mess. I

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the track or cam shown in Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 6 is a'plan view of the track shown in Figs. 3 and l.

Referring moi-e particularly to the drawing, A indicates the base of the pole, which may be of any suitable construction, but in any event will 3e mounted to rotate upon and relatively t) a fixed plate C or C, in the nature of a track or cam having either of the configure tions shown in Figs. 5 and 6, or any other configuration which may be found desirable the track or cam being of symmetrical construction, whatever its form. The cams here shown are formed with central openings, in which the pole base rotatably fits.

The lever F, which cooperates with the fixed cam C or '3, according as one form or the other is use i, may be either of the first class, as in Figs. 2 and 4, or of the third class, as in Figs. 1 and 3; but in either case is fulcrumed at E on a lateral projection or shoulder pro vided on the rotatable pole base A. This 12 ver may be connected in any desired manner with the trolley pole, so as to be rocked du ring the swinging movement of the pole; and in the construction shown, the point of such connection is indicated at K. Consequen' 11y, when derailment takes place, reference being had to Fig. 2, the lever F will be rocked about its fulcrum E, its upper portion moving toward the left, as indicated by the arrow. The lower end N of said lever, which may or may not, be provided with a roller, according as preperipheral face of the cam, with the result said lever having its lower end arranged ferr'ed, is thus pressed forcibly against thelpole when the latter jumps the trolley wire,

that said roller or lever end is caused to travel along said cam face. During this movement of the roller or lever end, the entire pole system turns about its pivotal axis, due to the connection of the lever to the pole base, until the pole finally reaches a position in line with the longitudinal axis of the car.

In place of the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, it-is evident that any one of the forms represented in Figs. 1, 3 and 4: could be used, for it is obvious that, according to the mounting of the pole, there would occur at derailment a rocking movement of the lever 'F in a direction opposite to that indicated by-the arrow in Fig. 2. For a movement in such opposite direction,the arrangements shown in Figs. 1 and 4*may be utilized. In the arrangement depicted in Fig. 3, the lever moves in the direction of the aforesaid arrow.

We claim as our invention 1. In a trolley mechanism, the combination, with a rotatable base for a trolley pole; of a cam track whereon said-pole base tobear against and. travel along said cam, 'so a to turn said base about its axis and thereby bring said pole substantially into line with the longitudinal axis of the car.

2. In a trolley mechanism, the combination, with a rotatable base for a trolley pole; of a cam track whereon said pole base is axially mounted; and a member pivotally mounted on said base and arranged to engage said'eam; said member being connectedto be automatically moved about its pivot when the trolley pole moves out of line with the longitudinal axis of the car, on jumping the-trolley wire, whereby said member is forced against said cam and caused 'to travel along the same, so as to turnsaid pole base about it's-axis and restore said pole substantially into'line with said car axis.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PIERRE PIGACHE. CHARLES EMILE PIGACHE.

Witnesses:

"EMILE LEDRET,

OHAs. P. PBESSLY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, "by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

